Cover Photo: John Leonard

Tallon Smith

The Border Bears made it two in a row in the Goulburn Murray Premiership on Sunday with a 16-6 victory over the Albury Muddogs at the Corowa Airport Oval.

After the sides headed into the break locked up at 6-all following tries to Border fullback Jayden Kitt and Muddogs centre Nathan Flanders, the Bears held the Albury side to nil in the second half and ran in two tries through Jacob Campbell and Eli Burge to improve to a 2-1 record following their win over Wangaratta a week prior.

The win was pleasing for Bears co-coach Scott Smith, with his side putting in a strong defensive performance across the whole match to restrict the high-scoring Muddogs to just one try.

“It was huge for our club, we were under no illusions, the quality that we were up against on the day, [and] we were aware that they had a couple out, but so did we,” he said.

“Neither side was really at full strength, but the grit that the team showed [was impressive], and we got into an arm wrestle with them.

“We held them to six in the first half and nil in the second half, so that is a testament [to our defence].”

The Muddogs came into the clash unbeaten in their opening two games, having tallied 82 points and conceded just 22 in their wins over Tumbarumba (50-6) and Wangaratta (32-16).

However, a determined team performance from the Bears flipped the script, with a number of players having strong games according to their coach, with centre Kallum Oakes and halfback Elijah Williams being standouts.

“I couldn’t pick a bad player that we had on the day to be honest with you, I think every single one of us chipped in, but there were a couple of standouts, I think our centre Kallum Oakes, he is playing out of position, but he was outstanding on the day,” Smith said.

“Our halfback Elijah Williams, there’s not much of Elijah, he is only a little bloke, but I tell you what, he is  a tough little fella playing against some big bodies.”

Another player that impressed Smith was fullback Kitt, who got his name on the scoresheet for the second week running.

“Jayden Kitt, he was our best and fairest last year, but he has improved and the last two games, he is starting to take the line on and chime into the backline more so than just standing out the back,” he said.

“Defensively he’s always been sound, but this year with the footy in hand, [there] has been a massive improvement and he has scored a couple of tries, he didn’t score a try last year.”

However, despite the backs getting many of the plaudits and tries, the team’s engine room up front was also key to securing the win in what was a ferocious forward battle.

Smith was particularly impressed with the performances of Cameron Miller and Lachlan Bishop, who were crucial in gaining the field position that ultimately allowed the side to score its three tries and take control the match.

“Cameron Miller, he was outstanding as well, and so was Lachlan Bishop,” he said.

“Our two front rowers give us plenty of go forward, which obviously if we don’t win the battle in the forwards, you are on the back foot and you are in trouble.”

Full Round Three Wrap

Looking at other results from round three action in Corowa, ladder leaders Wodonga and Wangaratta played out a thrilling 22-all draw.

A hat-trick to centre Faamanu Faamanu accounted for three of the Wombats’ four tries, as the sides finished level, a situation reflected on the ladder, though Wangaratta has played an extra game in the form of the standalone season opener on the Anzac Day weekend.

Tumbarumba was the other winner of the weekend in the men’s competition, with the Greens cruising to a 34-18 victory over home side Corowa.

Halfback Ben Scott starred with two tries and five goals to set up the 16-point win, while poor goalkicking restricted the Cougars to just 18 points despite them running in four tries of their own.

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, it was a good day for the Bears, with the Border side escaping with a 4-0 win over the Muddogs to match the feats of its men’s team.

Skye Rodgers scored the game’s only try, with the two sides playing out a defensive encounter.

Points were much more free-flowing in the Wodonga-Wangaratta game, with the Wombats running out 28-4 winners.

Centre Lucy Tooney starred for the Wombats with three tries as the side picked up its third win to maintain pace with the Bears and set up a top of the table clash at Tumbarumba next weekend.

Finally, the remaining women’s match saw the Tumbarumba Greens run out 32-4 winners over Corowa.

This coming weekend will see all three fixtures in both the men’s and women’s competitions played at the historic Tumbarumba Showground, with the Bears to face the Wombats in the aformentioned local derby, before the Muddogs tackle Corowa and home side Tumbarumba hosts Wangaratta.